Paul Gascoigne has revealed he bonds with his son Regan over their mutual diagnosis of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder following a strained relationship amid his own alcohol addiction and mental health struggles.
The former footballer, 54, admitted they ‘never talk about the past, ever’ when they ‘hang out as mates’ because they focus on their present goings-on.
He told The Sun: ‘When we get together we just feel like we’ve never been away from each other. Now we hang out as mates. It’s special, I feel lucky.’
Happy: ‘We hang out as mates now’: Paul Gascoigne reveals he bonds with son Regan, 25, over mutual OCD diagnosis following strained relationship
The disorder meant he would feel the urge to go commando during his matches as well as tie his right boot’s shoe laces after kick off – much to the dismay of 90s England manager Terry Venables.
Reminiscing on his legendary career, Paul said: ‘The game could have been going on but I’m just tying my shoelace. He’d be like, “What are you doing that for?” I had to. And I didn’t wear pants on the pitch either.’
Professional dancer Regan, 25, promised he will be taking inspiration from his father when it comes to his underwear habits during his upcoming stint on Dancing On Ice.
Joking about their mischief-filled relationship, he added: ‘When Dad comes to mine he ruins my house. So when I go to his, I move everything too. We know it annoys each other.’
Keeping quiet: The former footballer, 54, admitted they ‘never talk about the past, ever’ when they ‘hang out as mates’ because they focus on their present goings-on
Paul previously walked out on his son when he was a baby, after a string of rows with his ex-wife Sheryl, 56.
Regan has previously shared his regrets after saying in a 2013 documentary that he wanted his father out of his life.
During a previous interview with The Sun, the dancer said: ‘We have such a good relationship. There have been ups and downs, but that is all water under the bridge. It’s love, love, love now.’
Regan added that he enjoys spending time with his ‘funny’ father, he continued: ‘By accepting my bisexuality, my dad put me at ease.’
Last year, Paul publicly spoke out in support of his son Regan, months after he revealed during a television interview that he is bisexual.
Football legend Gazza told The Mirror: ‘He texted me the night before and I saw him on the TV talking about it.
‘I told him, “It doesn’t matter what you do son, I will support you 100 percent, you have to do what makes you happy”.
‘I thought “bless him”. To go on TV and do that is hard. He is a professional dancer, he is a fit guy, and I am very proud of him.’
The sportsman went on to reveal that Regan stayed with him for several weeks during the early stages of his career in Newcastle, and he and his son now regularly keep in touch via phone calls and text message.
Regan publicly announced that he was bisexual in a candid interview with The Sunday Mirror, but said at the time that his father had no idea he had dated men.
He told Lorraine that after publicly coming out as bisexual and admitting his father didn’t know he decided to get in touch with him.
Throwback: Joking about their mischief-filled relationship, Regan said: ‘When Dad comes to mine he ruins my house. So when I go to his, I move everything too. We know it annoys each other’ (pictured in 1999)
The performer previously admitted they are still in touch but do no see each other frequently.
He said: ‘I’ve never actually come out. I’ve never made a point of coming out. I’ve just let it happen organically… when they asked me if I told dad I said: “No.”
‘But then I saw the article and headline and thought, “oh I’ve got to text him now”. I just text him and said, ”I’m so sorry I’ve never had this chat I just feel like I’ve never had this chat with you.”
Who knew? The former footballer, 54, admitted the disorder meant he would feel the urge to go commando during his matches as well as tie his right boot’s shoe laces after kick off – much to the dismay of 90s England manager Terry Venables (pictured in 1996)
‘His response was exactly what I thought, he said ”I still love you no matter what”.’
Days before the interview, Regan publicly revealed that he was bisexual, and he had dated men in the past without his father’s knowledge.
He said at the time: ‘I’m bisexual, I date men and women. I’m really open about that. I haven’t had a lot of relationships though. I’ve only dated three people. I haven’t told my dad but I don’t think he will mind.’
Hilarious: Professional dancer Regan, 25, promised he will be taking inspiration from his father when it comes to his underwear habits during his upcoming stint on Dancing On Ice
In the Lorraine interview, Regan said that he’s no interest in following in his father’s footsteps and has pursued a career in music theatre and dance.
He added that any friction between him and Paul is well in the past, particularly in reference to a 2013 documentary when he said he wanted his dad out of his life.
‘It was hard growing up, but like I said that was 11 years ago now,’ he told Lorraine.
‘I said things back then that still to this day I hate myself for saying it, but when the cameras was in your face and your emotions are heightened I was only 12. I didn’t know how to express my emotions and feelings properly.’
Family: Paul previously walked out on his son when he was a baby, after a string of rows with his ex-wife Sheryl, 56 (pictured alongside Sheryl, centre-right, Regan, far-right, and daughter Bianca, far-left in 2013)
Paul shares Regan with ex-wife Sheryl, he also adopted her two children Mason, 31, and Bianca, 35.
A new batch of celebrities, including Love Island favourite Liberty Poole and Happy Mondays star Bez, will make their debut next week on the ITV reality show, presented by Holly and Phillip Schofield.
Also among this year’s star-studded cast are Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, while Strictly pro Oti Mabuse makes her debut as a judge, alongside Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
Dancing On Ice 2022: Who are the celebrities?
KYE WHYTE
Age: 22
Profession: Olympics BMX rider
Kye says: ‘I’d love to see if I can make the final because I’m very competitive.’
RACHEL STEVENS
Age: 43
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Profession: Singer
Rachel says: ‘It now feels really real, this is really happening. I’m so excited, obviously really nervous.’
LIBERTY POOLE
Age: 22
Profession: Love Island star
Liberty says: ‘I ice skate as a hobby sometimes so I can get around the rink but I can’t do any tricks’
STEF REID
Age: 36
Profession: Paralympian
Stef says: ‘I’m going to be a contestant on Dancing on Ice and it’s a little bit scary but I cannot wait!’
REGAN GASCOIGNE
Age: 26
Profession: Singer
Regan says: ‘I love dancing but it’s the skill of this. I’ve always wanted to do it. Always! Ever since I was a kid!’
KIMBERLY WYATT
Age: 39
Profession: Pussycat Dolls singer
Kimberly says: ‘I’m just excited to see what I can do on there. I’m up for a challenge!’
BRENDAN COLE
Age: 45
Profession: Dancer
Brendan says: ‘I’ve known I’d be doing the show for quite some time and I want to get started, I’m so excited to be on the show.’
BEN FODEN
Age: 36
Profession: Rugby player
Ben says: ‘I like the idea of learning a new sport and a new skill. I’m quite competitive as well.’
SALLY DYNEVOR
Age: 58
Profession: Coronation Street actress
Sally says: ‘This is a massive challenge. I’m so scared! I’ve just got to take every opportunity I get.’
BEZ
Age: 57
Profession: Happy Mondays
Bez says: ‘I’m always up for a challenge and am already in training on the ice.’
RIA HEBDEN
Age: 36
Profession: Presenter
Ria says: ‘It will be brilliant to learn a new scary skill.’
CONNOR BALL
Age: 25
Profession: The Vamps bassist
Connor says: ‘I’m excited obviously but I’m really nervous. I’m quite clumsy, accident prone.’
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